Day 22
Embarrassed to Pray
Embarrassed, uncomfortable, awkward are situations we want to avoid at all costs. When we even think we could find ourselves in such a position, we move in another direction. Do you feel this way when you consider praying?
One time I was asked to assist in a funeral service at a church of another denomination. The service was for a man who attended First Baptist Church, but his wife attended another. She wanted the service in her church, so I was invited to participate.
The church had certain worship service protocols that I did not know. With me sitting on the front row, it was impossible to watch others when they stood and when they sat. So, I would hear a sound and try to discretely look over my shoulder to see what was happening. They were standing and I was not. Again, a sound, they were sitting, and I was still standing. Now, repeat this multiple times in a 45-minute service. I was embarrassed, uncomfortable, and felt very awkward.
How do you feel when you pray? Do you feel awkward, not knowing what to say? Are you supposed to use some type of prayer words like those used in an old translation of the Bible? Are you supposed to get a religious person to pray for you? Prayer should not be awkward. Awkwardness develops embarrassment. We should never be embarrassed to pray. Let’s look at some examples of prayer in the Bible.
Psalm 38:19-21 (CSB) But my enemies are vigorous and powerful; many hate me for no reason. 20Those who repay evil for good attack me for pursuing good. 21Lord, do not abandon me; my God, do not be far from me.
Have you felt opposition? “Lord, do not abandon me!”
Luke 18:13 (CSB) “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’
In Jesus' time, tax collectors were considered the worst of sinners. When you feel that you have sinned, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
A blind man heard that Jesus was walking past him. Notice two prayers he asked of Jesus.
Luke 18:38-41 (NLT) So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, [1] have mercy on me!” 39Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him. When he came closer, He asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” [2] “Lord,” he said, “I want to see.”
What blind spots do you have? What uncertainties of the future are you facing? “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see.”
Prayer should never be awkward. Prayer is not complicated. Prayer is simply talking to God, our Father, through Jesus our Lord. You do not feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or awkward when you talk to your best friend. Talk to Jesus as you would talk to your absolute best friend. Remember, He is the best friend you will ever have!
Embarrassed, uncomfortable, awkward are situations we want to avoid at all costs. When we even think we could find ourselves in such a position, we move in another direction. Do you feel this way when you consider praying?
One time I was asked to assist in a funeral service at a church of another denomination. The service was for a man who attended First Baptist Church, but his wife attended another. She wanted the service in her church, so I was invited to participate.
The church had certain worship service protocols that I did not know. With me sitting on the front row, it was impossible to watch others when they stood and when they sat. So, I would hear a sound and try to discretely look over my shoulder to see what was happening. They were standing and I was not. Again, a sound, they were sitting, and I was still standing. Now, repeat this multiple times in a 45-minute service. I was embarrassed, uncomfortable, and felt very awkward.
How do you feel when you pray? Do you feel awkward, not knowing what to say? Are you supposed to use some type of prayer words like those used in an old translation of the Bible? Are you supposed to get a religious person to pray for you? Prayer should not be awkward. Awkwardness develops embarrassment. We should never be embarrassed to pray. Let’s look at some examples of prayer in the Bible.
Psalm 38:19-21 (CSB) But my enemies are vigorous and powerful; many hate me for no reason. 20Those who repay evil for good attack me for pursuing good. 21Lord, do not abandon me; my God, do not be far from me.
Have you felt opposition? “Lord, do not abandon me!”
Luke 18:13 (CSB) “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’
In Jesus' time, tax collectors were considered the worst of sinners. When you feel that you have sinned, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
A blind man heard that Jesus was walking past him. Notice two prayers he asked of Jesus.
Luke 18:38-41 (NLT) So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, [1] have mercy on me!” 39Then those in front told him to keep quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to Him. When he came closer, He asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?” [2] “Lord,” he said, “I want to see.”
What blind spots do you have? What uncertainties of the future are you facing? “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see.”
Prayer should never be awkward. Prayer is not complicated. Prayer is simply talking to God, our Father, through Jesus our Lord. You do not feel embarrassed, uncomfortable, or awkward when you talk to your best friend. Talk to Jesus as you would talk to your absolute best friend. Remember, He is the best friend you will ever have!
Posted in 40 Days - 2022